Chicago Teachers Union Considers One-day Walkout

Stay in the know this week: No Images? [Click here]( [Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics]( The week in review: March 4 - March 10 What’s on tap next week: March 11 - March 17 State - On March 7, Hawaii Attorney General [Doug Chin]( filed a [lawsuit]( against the president’s [March 6 executive order]( on immigration. Chin asked a federal judge to uphold the restraining order imposed on the [previous executive order]( and apply it to the new one. The official complaint argues that the new executive order is also illegal because it would harm Muslim residents of Hawaii, the state’s educational institutions, and its economy. - On March 9, Washington Attorney General [Bob Ferguson]( (D) filed a motion asking a federal judge to extend an existing injunction against the previous travel ban to the new executive order issued by the president on [March 6](. This request is similar conceptually to the one filed by Hawaii’s attorney general on Tuesday. Ferguson argued that while the ban was narrowed, it did not, in his view, clear itself of constitutional problems. Ferguson announced that attorneys general from New York, Massachusetts, and Oregon would be joining in his effort to enforce the injunction against the new order. Ferguson previously led the lawsuit against the initial executive order along with Minnesota Attorney General [Lori Swanson]( (D); that lawsuit led to the temporary restraining order issued by federal district Judge [James Robart](. - The new order rescinded and replaced President Trump's [January 27 executive order](. Differences from the January 27 order included removing Iraq from the list of countries subject to the entry suspension, specifying that current visa holders were not affected, removing the indefinite suspension on admitting Syrian refugees, and allowing entry for refugees who had already been granted asylum. Local - On March 9, The Chicago Tribune reported that the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is [considering]( a one-day walkout on May 1, 2017, to bring attention to the budget problems facing [Chicago Public Schools]( (CPS). The union will hold a vote on April 5, 2017, to make a final decision on whether or not the walkout will take place. The proposed walkout stems from a December 2016 veto issued by Gov. [Bruce Rauner]( (R) that terminated $215 million in state aid to the ailing school district. The president of the CTU, Karen Lewis, also called on the district to reverse its plan of an April 7 furlough day, one of four ordered by CPS to help the district save money, as a show of good faith that it would continue to work with the union. Chicago Public Schools served 392,558 students during the 2014-2015 school year--approximately 19 percent of all public school students in the state. - The turmoil between CPS and the CTU has been ongoing: - On August 30, 2016, the CTU [called]( for a strike authorization vote on a potential October walkout. The idea was a response to multiple rounds of failed contract negotiations between CTU, CPS, and Chicago Mayor [Rahm Emanuel]( (D). Contract negotiations to replace a pact that expired in June 2015 had been underway for more than a year. The CTU’s bargaining team rejected a contract proposal that was presented as part of the district’s operating budget in January 2016. A second contract proposal, presented to the CTU in April 2016, was also rejected after teachers staged a one-day walkout. CTU vice president Jesse Sharkey said that 88 percent of union members would have allowed leaders to call a strike, more than the 75 percent required by law. - On August 24, 2016, the CPS school board unanimously [approved]( a $5.4 billion operating budget for 2016-2017. The budget included $30 million in concessions from the CTU. In response, Chicago teachers marched in front of CPS headquarters. The budget was first [proposed]( in early August and included increased property taxes and personnel cuts. It also offered gradual pay increases for teachers and phased out district payments into CTU pension and insurance funds. The inclusion of $945 million in borrowing for unspecified construction projects received backlash from CTU leaders after 1,000 teachers, aides, and support staff were laid off earlier in the month due to district budget shortfalls. [State politics]( The Week in Review Ballot measures update: 2017: - So far, [five statewide measures]( are certified to appear on the ballot in 2017 in [Maine](, [New York](, [New Jersey](, and [Ohio](. Over the previous five odd-year election cycles, an average of about seven citizen-initiated measures and 34 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. Moreover, voters in Puerto Rico will decide [a referendum]( on June 11—and another in October depending on the results of the June referendum—asking whether they want statehood or independence/free association. - The next [signature filing deadline]( for citizen initiatives in 2017 is in [Ohio]( on July 5. - Two [indirect initiatives](—one addressing [casinos]( and [one addressing Medicaid expansion]( under the ACA—were certified as valid and sufficient and sent to the legislature in Maine; they will go before voters if the legislature does not approve them unaltered. 2018: - [Nine measures are certified to appear on statewide ballots in 2018]( so far, and a signature petition for a [citizen-initiated measure in Nevada]( designed to establish an automatic voter registration system was certified as sufficient. It will be sent to the legislature and later to voters if the legislature does not approve it within the first 40 days of its 2017 session. Over the previous five even-year election cycles, an average of 61 citizen-initiated measures and 173 total statewide measures have appeared on ballots. - Two new measures—both [legislative referrals](—were certified for 2018 ballots last week. VERBATIM FACT CHECK [Is Nebraska doing well in most economic indicators?]( Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts is proposing to cut the state's top income tax rate. Becky Gould, executive director of Nebraska Appleseed, questioned why the state should lower income taxes. "Nebraska has been doing well in most economic indicators," she said. "Where really is the problem here in terms of income tax holding us back as a state?" Since 2000, changes in real GDP, wages, unemployment, labor force participation, and total employment in the state are consistent with or better than national trends. However, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City recently concluded that Nebraska's economic growth is unbalanced due to a multi-year slump in crop prices that has negatively affected farm income in the state, where one in four jobs is related to agriculture. Tuesday, March 7 West Virginia AG Seeks to Overturn Right-to-Work Injunction - West Virginia Attorney General [Patrick Morrisey]( (R) filed a [request]( with the state’s [highest court]( to overturn an injunction against [right-to-work legislation]( passed in last year’s legislative session. The injunction was placed by Circuit Judge [Jennifer Bailey](, who argued that the bill’s potential impact on unions necessitated a broader ruling before it could be implemented. The law initially went into effect on July 1, 2016, and the injunction was granted on August 10. The legislation was passed by both chambers of the legislature, which then had to override a veto by then-Gov. [Earl Ray Tomblin]( (D). Currently, 28 states have right-to-work laws on the books. Arkansas Voter ID Amendment Certified for Ballot - An Arkansas [constitutional amendment]( that would require photo identification for voters was [certified]( for the [November 2018]( ballot. The amendment, known as HJR 1016, passed 73-12 in the [House]( on February 23 and 24-8 in the [Senate]( on March 7. The measure was proposed in response to the [Arkansas Supreme Court](’s 2014 ruling that a voter photo ID statute violated the state constitution. HJR 1016 would also require the state to provide valid photographic identification free of charge to eligible voters. If it passes, Arkansas would be the [ninth state]( with a strict photo ID requirement. - In 2013, the Republican-controlled legislature [passed a voter id]( bill, overruling a veto by Democratic [Governor Mike Beebe](. This law—Senate Bill 2—was ruled unconstitutional by the Arkansas Supreme Court in a decision that made it clear that a constitutional amendment would be required to enforce a voter id requirement. - Arkansas is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Alabama Auditor Sues Governor Over U.S. Senate Election - Alabama State Auditor [Jim Zeigler]( (R) filed a [lawsuit]( against Gov. [Robert J. Bentley]( (R), asserting that Bentley violated the state constitution by setting a [special election]( for the state’s U.S. Senate seat for November 2018. Zeigler’s suit argues that Alabama law requires the governor to set an election immediately since the vacancy occurred more than four months before the next regular election. A spokesman for the governor’s office dismissed the lawsuit as wasteful, and said that the governor had complied with state and federal law in calling the election. - The seat is currently being filled by Bentley’s interim appointee, former Alabama Attorney General [Luther Strange]( (R). Strange was appointed to the position on February 9, 2017, to replace [Jeff Sessions]( (R), who was confirmed as [United States Attorney General](. The race is safely Republican, but Strange is likely to have a more challenging primary race if the election is rescheduled for this year. Alabama Senate Votes to Eliminate Marriage Licenses - The [Alabama State Senate]( voted [22-6]( in favor of a bill that would eliminate marriage licenses and instead leave marriages to be recorded by probate judges. As of October 2016, at least eight Alabama counties refused to issue any marriage licenses to couples as a response to the [Obergefell v. Hodges]( decision in 2015. Rather than only refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses, many counties adopted a policy of not issuing any marriage licenses. When the court’s decision was first announced in July 2015, Ballotpedia found that [190 counties across 10 states]( refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses. - The[U.S. Supreme Court]( decision in[Obergefell v. Hodges](, which legalized same-sex marriages nationwide, meant couples in the[15 states that had same-sex marriage bans]( in place or stayed by courts prior to the decision were able to get married. Local government officials, however, did not give unanimous support to the ruling. Delays and refusals in license issuing led to[protests](,[one clerk's resignation]( and[jail time for another](. Mississippi House Passes Sanctuary Legislation - The [Mississippi House of Representatives]( voted to [approve]( legislation that eliminates the power of cities, state agencies, and public colleges to prevent employees from asking about someone’s immigration status. The bill would also prevent public agencies from giving legal status to people who entered the country illegally. According to The Clarion-Ledger, there is only one sanctuary city ordinance on the books in Mississippi—a 2010 law in Jackson. Gov. [Phil Bryant]( (R) has spoken to national media in support of the legislation. Mississippi is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Lawsuit Dismissed Against Oklahoma Supreme Court Nominee - The [Oklahoma Supreme Court]( dismissed a [lawsuit]( disputing whether [Patrick Wyrick]( was eligible to serve on the court following questions about his residency. The court’s dismissal said that the two residents who filed the challenge lacked the legal standing to do so and that the litigation was not filed in a timely manner. Wyrick was appointed to the court by Gov.[Mary Fallin]( (R) on February 9, 2017, to succeed retired Justice[Steven Taylor](. With his appointment, Wyrick became the second judge on the nine-person court to be appointed by a Republican governor. Iowa House Passes Firearms Bill - The [Iowa House of Representatives]( approved a [bill]( that would change a large number of gun regulations and also enact stand your ground rules in the state. Rep. [Matt Windschitl]( (R), the bill’s sponsor, said that it expands the freedoms of Iowans and increases individual responsibility. Rep. [Ras Smith]( (D) argued that stand your ground policies are potentially harmful to minorities. Windschitl announced that he has plans next year to introduce constitutional carry legislation, which involves eliminating the need for a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm. Iowa is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Minnesota Governor Signs Bill to Allow Sunday Liquor Sales - Minnesota Gov. [Mark Dayton]( (D) signed [legislation]( that will allow Minnesotans to purchase liquor on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on July 2. The state’s ban on Sunday sales dates back to when it gained statehood in 1858. Dayton cited a 2015 Public Policy Polling study that two-thirds of residents approved of Sunday sales as a reason for signing the bill. The bill does allow city officials to enforce their own Sunday liquor sales bans. Minnesota is currently one of 19 states with a [divided government](. Kentucky Legislature Votes to Expand Hate Crime Laws - The [Kentucky General Assembly]( approved a [bill]( that would expand the state’s hate crime laws to cover attacks against police officers and other emergency responders. Supporters of the law say that those groups should be included because they are sometimes attacked because of the uniform they wear. Opponents claimed that the bill was in response to the [Black Lives Matter]( movement and could lead to harsher penalties aimed at protesters of police. The bill will now head to Gov. [Matt Bevin]( (R) for his signature. Kentucky is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Idaho House Passes Rural Schools Bill - The [Idaho House of Representatives]( passed a bill [37-33]( that would create a rural schools network to allow schools to collaborate and share resources. The legislation is supported by [state superintendent]( [Sherri Ybarra]( (R). Proponents of the bill say that such networking would improve learning opportunities for rural students and also help administrators. Opponents say that it adds an extra layer of bureaucracy and criticized the estimated $300,000 cost. Idaho is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. - In 2017, Ballotpedia is covering [elections]( for 16 school board seats across six of Idaho’s largest school districts by enrollment. The deadline to file in the May 16, 2017, general election is March 17, 2017. These school districts collectively served 98,106 K-12 students during the 2014-2015 school year. The largest school district in Idaho covered by Ballotpedia is the [West Ada School District](, which served 36,804 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 13 percent of all public school students in the state. Wisconsin Assembly Passes Experimental Drug Legislation - The [Wisconsin State Assembly]( voted [85-13]( to approve legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to take medications that are still undergoing federal testing. Opponents of the legislation say it could give patients false hope, and the Wisconsin Medical Society claimed that the bill would circumvent testing procedures that ensure medication is safe and effective. Proponents, such as the bill’s sponsor, [Patrick Snyder]( (R), said it gives terminally ill patients who have seemed to run out of options hope at finding a cure. The bill now moves to the [state Senate]( for consideration. Wisconsin is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Alabama Special Primary - A[special primary election]( for the [District 58]( seat in [the Alabama House of Representatives]( District 58 was held. [Rolanda Hollis]( defeated[James Howell]( and[Rodney Huntley]( outright in the primary election. The seat was vacant following[Oliver Robinson]('s (D) resignation on November 30, 2016. He retired wishing to avoid conflicts of interest resulting from his daughter's appointment as the Governor's Liaison to the House of Representatives. No Republican qualified to run in the election. Oklahoma Special Primary - A[special primary election]( for the [District 28]( seat in the[Oklahoma House of Representatives]( was held. [Steve Barnes]( (D) defeated four others in the Democratic primary, while [Zach Taylor]( (R) defeated three opponents in the Republican primary. [Cody Presley]( is running as a Libertarian candidate. The general election will take place on May 9. The seat is vacant following[Tom Newell]('s (R) resignation to take a position in the private sector. Pennsylvania Filing Deadline - The filing deadline to run for seats on the [Pennsylvania Supreme Court](, the [Pennsylvania Superior Court](, and the [Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court]( passed. A total of nine judges' terms will end across the three courts; three are up for retention, and the other six seats are up for partisan election. In addition, the vacancy on the superior court created by the appointment of [Sallie Mundy]( (R) to the supreme court will be filled by election, for a total of seven seats up for partisan election. The most noteworthy race will be for [Sallie Mundy](’s (R) seat on the state supreme court; Judge [Dwayne D. Woodruff]( (D) of the [Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas]( filed to run against Mundy. [Chief Justice Tom Saylor]( (R) and Justice [Debra Todd]( (D) filed to stand for [retention]( to the state’s highest court. Wednesday, March 8 Mississippi House Passes Flag Requirement for Public Universities - The [Mississippi House of Representatives]( voted [57-56]( to require Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi to fly the state flag in order to receive certain tax breaks related to student housing. The University of Mississippi already receives the tax exemption and would not be impacted by the legislation. Currently, none of the state’s eight publicly-funded universities flies the state flag, which features the Confederate battle emblem as part of its design. The bill’s sponsor, [William Shirley]( (R), says he believes that universities that receive funding from the public should be required to fly the state flag. Rep. [Edward Blackmon, Jr.]( (D), who voted against the bill, said that the flag makes certain groups feel unwelcome, and that a flag should unite people rather than divide. Mississippi is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Michigan Legislature Passes Bills Addressing Recidivism - The [Michigan State Legislature]( approved a [package]( of legislation and sent it to the desk of Gov. [Rick Snyder]( (R) for his signature. The 20-bill package includes laws that cap sentences for offenders who violate probation and change parole systems to include progressively harsher penalties for violations rather than jail time. Figures released by the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency revealed that half of the state’s 41,000 inmates were in jail because of probation or parole violations. Michigan Attorney General [Bill Schuette]( (R) offered his endorsement for the legislation. Michigan is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. South Carolina Governor Publicly Opposes Gas Tax - South Carolina Gov. [Henry McMaster]( (R) [spoke]( out against a proposed gas tax of between 10 and 12 cents. The [state House]( has already passed legislation that would impose a 10-cent increase, while the [state Senate]( is currently considering a bill that would raise the tax by 12 cents. The governor stopped short of saying he would veto any legislation that reaches his desk, however. McMaster said he felt there were other options to funding road repair other than raising taxes, and that he felt that residents were already taxed enough. South Carolina is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. New Mexico House Approves Constitutional Amendment - The [New Mexico House of Representatives]( [approved]( a [constitutional amendment]( that would allocate one percent of the money in the Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF) to early childhood education services each year from fiscal year 2020 through fiscal year 2032. Funds in the LGPF come from leases and royalties on non-renewable natural resources, such as oil and gas, and returns on invested capital. To make it to the [November 2018]( ballot, the amendment would also require the approval of the [state Senate](. According to the official resolution, implementation of the amendment would also require the consent of the [U.S. Congress](. Colorado House Votes to Ban Conversion Therapy - The [Colorado House of Representatives]( voted [38-27]( to ban conversion therapy for those under the age of 18 and penalize any physicians or mental health care providers who perform the therapy. The legislation would prohibit any psychiatrist from trying to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but would still allow for therapists to assist individuals undergoing a gender transition. The bill passed the chamber closely along party lines, and will now head to the Republican-controlled [state Senate](. Colorado is currently one of 19 states with a [divided government](. California Supreme Court Judge Announces Retirement - [Kathryn Mickle Werdegar](, the longest-serving judge on the [California Supreme Court](, announced that she will retire at the end of August 2017. Werdegar was appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson (R) and[retained by voters]( in 2014 for a 12-year term that was set to expire on January 3, 2027. Gov.[Jerry Brown]( (D) will have the opportunity to appoint a successor, who will become Brown’s fourth appointee to the court. The other three members of the court were appointed by former Republican governors—one by Pete Wilson and two by [Arnold Schwarzenegger](. Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Confirmed - [Elspeth Cypher]( was [confirmed]( to her new position on the [Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court](, the highest court in Massachusetts. She was appointed in February 2017 by Gov.[Charlie Baker]( (R) to succeed retiring Justice[Margot Botsford]( in March 2017. Her appointment was confirmed by the [Massachusetts Governor's Council](. Cypher has served as an associate justice on the[Massachusetts Appeals Court](, the state’s intermediate appellate court, since December 2000. Cypher is Baker’s fourth appointment to the seven-member supreme court. Thursday, March 9 Colorado House Approves Spending Cap Amendment - The [Colorado House of Representatives]( voted [39-26]( largely along party lines to approve a [state statute]( that would change how the state’s budget spending cap is calculated. Instead of the current system that adjusts the cap based on inflation and population growth, this measure would adjust the spending cap based on the average percentage change in state personal income over the previous five calendar years. The statute was designed to allocate new revenue from the formula change to healthcare, education, and strategic transportation projects. The statute also needs approval by the Republican-controlled [state Senate]( in order to be certified for the [2017 ballot](. - In[1992](, voters approved a[Taxpayer Bill of Rights](, also known as[TABOR](, which capped the amount of revenue the state is allowed to keep and spend each year. TABOR provided for an annual adjustment of the cap based on changes in the Consumer Price Index for Denver-Boulder and the percentage change in state population. In 2005, the 1992 measure was suspended for five years via[Referendum C](. Pair of Appointment Confirmations to Connecticut Supreme Court - The [Connecticut General Assembly]( voted [unanimously]( to confirm [Gregory D'Auria](, Gov. [Dan Malloy]( (D)’s pick to replace retired Justice[Peter Zarella](. D’Auria previously served as the solicitor general of the state of Connecticut. The legislature also confirmed [Richard Palmer]( to serve his fourth eight-year term by a vote of 19-16 in the [state Senate]( and 101-46 in the [state House](. Following the confirmation of D’Auria, the state’s highest court now has four Malloy appointees among its seven members. Wisconsin Legislature Approves Elimination of State Treasurer - The [Wisconsin State Senate]( voted [18-15]( on Tuesday to approve a [constitutional amendment]( that would eliminate the elected office of [state treasurer](. The [state Assembly]( approved the amendment [68-31]( on Thursday, certifying it for the [April 2018]( ballot. Supporters of the amendment say that the position has become unnecessary since most of its duties have been taken away in recent years. Opponents argue that the position should be strengthened as a check on the executive branch rather than be eliminated. Wisconsin is currently one of 25 states with a [Republican trifecta](. Special elections and appointments As of this week, [11 state legislative seats]( have been filled through special elections in 2017. Another 23 elections (not including primaries or runoffs) have been scheduled in 15 states to fill vacancies. Due to redistricting, additional [state legislative special elections]( may be held in North Carolina in 2017. The special elections have been called in response to a federal court order that ruled 28 state legislative districts unconstitutional because of racial gerrymandering. The U.S. Supreme Court issued an [order]( on January 10, 2017, that would cancel the 2017 special elections in North Carolina. The change would move elections under new maps to the regularly scheduled 2018 elections. The court is expected to decide whether to take up an appeal of this order. - An average of 89 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past three odd years ([2011](: 94, [2013](: 84, [2015](: 88). - An average of 44 seats were filled through special elections in each of the past four even years ([2010](: 26, [2012](: 45, [2014](: 40, [2016](: 65). Upcoming special elections include: March 21, 2017 - [Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 197]( March 25, 2017 - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 8]( - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 42]( - [Louisiana House of Representatives District 92]( April 4, 2017 - [New Hampshire House of Representatives District Carroll 6]( (primary) - [New Hampshire House of Representatives District Hillsborough 44]( (primary) State Governments in Session [Local politics]( The Week in Review Elections Update - In 2017, Ballotpedia is covering [municipal elections]( across 54 of America's 100 [largest cities]( by population and several of the [largest counties]( by population, [local judicial elections]( across six states holding elections for general and limited jurisdiction trial courts and one state holding elections for municipal jurisdiction trial courts, [school board elections]( across 463 of the 1,000 largest school districts by student enrollment, all [local recalls](, all [local ballot measures]( in California, and notable local ballot measures across the United States. - So far this year, Ballotpedia has covered five city elections, one county election, and 22 school board elections. Ballotpedia will cover approximately 100 local ballot measures in California in 2017. - Local ballot measure elections occurred in California on [January 10](, [February 28](, and [March 7](. On March 7, local voters decided 20 measures; 11 measures were approved, six were defeated, and three were too close to call with certainty until results are certified. Los Angeles city voters decided four measures, including [Measure S](, a development-related initiative. Measure S was defeated. - The next local ballot measure elections Ballotpedia will cover are on April 4 in Alaska, Colorado, and Missouri, and on April 11 in California. Monday, March 6 Candidate filing deadlines pass in New Jersey, Texas - The deadline passed to run for six of 18 total school board seats up for [general election]( in two of New Jersey’s largest school districts by enrollment. The largest of these districts is [Newark Public Schools](, which served 34,861 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 2.5 percent of all public school students in the state. - The deadline passed to run for one school board seat up for [special election]( on the [Judson Independent School District]( board of trustees. Two newcomers and one former candidate filed in the race. The district is holding regular elections for two additional seats and added the third seat to the ballot after an incumbent resigned from the board. The filing deadline for the two seats up for regular election passed on February 17, 2017. The election for all three seats will be held on May 6, 2017. Judson Independent School District served 23,340 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 0.5 percent of all public school students in the state. Former New Jersey executive pleads guilty to federal bribery charges - David Samson, the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, was [sentenced]( to four years of probation and one year of confinement in his home after pleading guilty to federal bribery charges. Samson admitted to abusing his position of power to force United Airlines to initiate a flight in 2011 that ran directly from Newark to a South Carolina airport so that he could travel to his vacation home more quickly. In exchange for the direct flight, Samson signed off on the funding of a new hangar in Newark requested by the airline. U.S. District Court judge Jose Linares also ordered Samson to complete 3,600 hours of community service and to pay a $100,000 fine. Prosecutors in the case were seeking a minimum of two years of jail time for Samson. [Newark]( is the largest city in New Jersey and the [69th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Baltimore City Council considers minimum wage increase - The [Baltimore City Council]( voted 12-3 granting preliminary approval to raise the city’s minimum [wage]( to $15 per hour. The move, supported by eight freshmen council members elected in November 2016, would make the city’s minimum wage roughly $5 per hour higher than the minimum wage in surrounding counties. The bill needs one more vote to advance to the desk of Mayor [Catherine Pugh]( (D). If passed, the bill would exempt workers under 21 and give businesses with fewer than 50 workers until 2026 to comply with the wage requirements. Some business owners have criticized the bill and cited concerns that it will force businesses to leave the Baltimore area. Advocates of the bill argue that a higher wage will improve the lives of families in the city. Baltimore is the largest city in Maryland and the [26th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - Other cities have considered or implemented higher minimum wages - [Los Angeles](, [San Francisco](, [Seattle](, and [Washington D.C.]( have all begun the implementation of a $15 minimum wage. - Two more cities—[Miami Beach]( and [San Diego](—approved smaller minimum wage hikes in June 2016. The Miami Beach City Commission voted in favor of [increasing]( the minimum wage to $10.31 in 2018 with additional increases over time until it reaches $13.31 in 2021. San Diego voters approved [Proposition I]( by more than 63 percent of the vote, which increased the city’s minimum wage to $11.50 in January 2017. San Diego is the second-largest city in California and the [eighth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Tuesday, March 7 Municipal elections in Los Angeles, St. Louis - In [Los Angeles, California](, a [primary election]( was held for mayor, eight city council seats, city attorney, city controller, and three community college board of trustees seats. Mayor [Eric Garcetti]( defeated a field of 10 challengers to win a second term. The city will hold a general election on May 16, 2017, for District 7 on its city council and Seat No. 2 on its community college board of trustees. The general election for these two seats is necessary since no candidate in either race won a majority (50 percent plus one) of the primary votes cast on March 7, 2017. Only one incumbent, college board of trustees Seat No. 6 member [Nancy Pearlman](, was defeated in the primary. Incumbents won all the remaining races in the primary. Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the [second-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - Campaign finance was in the forefront of this election in light of recent efforts by the council and other groups to limit the influence property developers have in city government through political contribution restrictions. The winners of this election cycle will join the rest of the city's government in dealing with local issues, such as budget shortfalls and a potential city charter change to increase civilian roles in police disciplinary hearings. The victors will also see entanglements with national politics over the matter of immigration. - In [St. Louis, Missouri](, a partisan [primary election]( was held for mayor, comptroller, and 14 of 29 board of aldermen seats. Mayor Francis Slay did not run for re-election, and six candidates will appear on the ballot in the mayoral general election on April 4, 2017. Additionally, the Ward 16 seat held by [Donna Baringer]( (D) will be up for special election following her successful election to the state house of representatives in 2016. St. Louis is the second-largest city in Missouri and the [58th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Los Angeles Unified School District held primary elections - A [primary election]( was held for three of seven school board seats on the [Los Angeles Unified School District]( Board of Education. Two seats are advancing to a general election on May 16, 2017. In District 4, Board President Steve Zimmer will face off against challenger Nick Melvoin. In the open District 6 race, Kelly Fitzpatrick-Gonez will face off against Imelda Padilla. Zimmer and Padilla were endorsed by United Teachers Los Angeles, while Melvoin and Fitzpatrick-Gonez were endorsed by the California Charter Schools Association Advocates. District 2 incumbent Mónica García won another term outright in the primary election by receiving a majority of the votes. The Los Angeles Unified School District is the largest school district in the state and the second-largest school district in the U.S. by enrollment. The district served 646,683 students during the 2014-2015 school year--approximately 10 percent of all public school students in the state. General election held for Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education - A total of 19 candidates ran in the [general election]( to fill eight seats on the [Tuscaloosa City Schools]( Board of Education. In Districts 1, 2, and 5, no candidate won a majority of the votes cast, and the top two vote-getters in each district advanced to a runoff election scheduled on April 18, 2017. The seats in Districts 3, 4, 6, and 7 and the election for the board chair were decided outright. Tuscaloosa City Schools served 10,249 students during the 2014-2015 school year--approximately 1.4 percent of all public school students in the state. - The deadline passed to run for 71 seats across 17 of Pennsylvania's largest school districts by enrollment. A partisan [primary election]( will be held on May 16, 2017, and a [general election]( will be held on November 7, 2017. The largest of these school districts holding an election is the [Pittsburgh School District](, which served 24,657 students during the 2014-2015 school year--approximately 1.4 percent of all public school students in the state. Filing deadlines pass in Pennsylvania - The filing deadline passed to run in [elections]( for district attorney and city controller in [Philadelphia](. A partisan primary will be held on May 16, 2017, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2017. Seven Democrats and one Republican filed to replace Seth Williams as Philadelphia's district attorney. City controller Alan Butkovitz (D) faces two Democratic challengers and one Republican challenger. The May 16 primary will select a Democratic nominee in both races. Philadelphia is the largest city in Pennsylvania and the [fifth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. - Voters in Philadelphia will also choose election judges and inspectors. These races are conducted at the precinct level with the city divided into 1,686 precincts. Each precinct has one election judge and two inspectors. The election judge oversees operations for the precinct's polling location, while the inspectors process voters as they arrive at the location. In each precinct, the winner of the inspector election becomes the majority party inspector and the runner-up becomes the minority party inspector. The minority party inspector in each precinct appoints a clerk to maintain the voter list. - The filing deadline passed to run in the [primary election]( for mayor and four seats on the [Pittsburgh City Council](. The election will be held on May 16, 2017. Mayor Bill Peduto (D) faces two Democratic challengers. The winner of the primary will not face a Republican challenger, though nonpartisan candidates have until August 1 to file in the general election. Three of the four city council incumbents up for re-election are unopposed, while four Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate are running for the open District 4 seat. Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania and the [62nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. D.C. City Council and mayor divided over school vouchers - A majority of the [Washington, D.C., City Council]( is fighting to [phase out]( the federal school voucher program. In contrast, D.C. Mayor [Muriel Bowser]( (D) supports the program’s continuation. The voucher system allows low-income families in the city to use federal dollars to pay private school tuition. Each year, 1,100 students in low-performing schools use the vouchers to move in order to receive private school education. The council sent a letter to [U.S. House Republicans]( urging the program’s closure and arguing there is no evidence that private school vouchers have improved educational outcomes. Bowser argues that the voucher program brings in additional dollars for D.C. public and charter schools. The rift is a reversal from 2016 when eight members of the council joined Bowser in support of continuing the program. Washington, D.C. is the [23rd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Albuquerque amends gender pay equity law - In New Mexico, the [Albuquerque City Council]( [voted]( unanimously to change its Gender Pay Equity Ordinance. This lowered the allowable gender pay gap for city businesses from 10 percent to 7 percent. Businesses who do not adhere to the ordinance will be ineligible for a 5 percent preference when bidding on city contracts. The legislation also requires private sector city contractors to submit paperwork on gender pay equity. The new ordinance is an amendment to a previous ordinance passed by the city council in 2015. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and the [32nd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Anchorage police officers awarded damages in racial discrimination suit A pair of 20-year veteran police officers with the [Anchorage]( Police Department were [awarded]( nearly $1 million each as the result of a racial discrimination lawsuit. The two officers initiated a lawsuit in 2010, after leaving the department and claiming that racial intolerance made their work environment hostile. In the special verdict, former officers Alvin Kennedy and Eliezer Feliciano were each awarded $380,000 in lost wages and $70,304 in future lost wages and benefits. Both officers were awarded additional monetary compensation for damages. The city is considering appealing the decision. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska and the [63rd-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Friday, March 10 Corpus Christi City Council holds special meeting - The [Corpus Christi City Council]( will hold a special [meeting]( to determine whether former council member [Mark Scott]( is eligible to run for mayor. The city is holding a special election for mayor on May 6, 2017, to fill the vacant position after former mayor [Dan McQueen]( resigned 37 days into his term. The question of Scott’s eligibility stems from his re-election to the city council in 2012 and his subsequent resignation from the council in September 2016. Scott submitted his resignation in order to avoid being term-limited, which would make him ineligible to run for mayor in 2018—a plan that he had announced. The board did not accept Scott’s resignation, and voted unanimously to reprimand him for what they said, “was an attempt to circumvent the will of the people by finding a way around the term limits law.” Scott said he will fight for his right to run regardless of decisions made by the city council or by city staff. Corpus Christi is the eighth-largest city in Texas and the [60th-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. What’s On Tap Next Week Tuesday, March 14 Phoenix to hold runoff election - A [runoff election]( will be held for the District 3 seat on the [Phoenix City Council](. Incumbent Debra Stark, who was appointed to the seat in June 2016, faces challenger Chris DeRose in the runoff. Although Stark and DeRose were the top two vote-getters in the November 2016 special election, neither obtained a majority of the votes cast. Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and the [sixth-largest city]( in the U.S. by population. Thursday, March 16 Oregon filing deadlines - The deadline will pass to run in the [general election]( for 50 school board seats across 14 of Oregon’s largest school districts by enrollment. The election will be held on May 6, 2017. The largest school district holding elections is [Portland Public Schools](, which served 47,806 students during the 2014-2015 school year—approximately 8 percent of all public school students in the state. [Donate Securely Online]( The Lucy Burns Institute, publisher of Ballotpedia, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law. Donations to the Lucy Burns Institute or Ballotpedia do not support any candidates or campaigns. 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